The photograph was taken in the vice president's ceremonial office in the back of the U.S. Senate.

“Frank was just telling me, 'Joe, I’m not going to run again. I’m not going to run again this term.' This was a man who always put his country first. He could have won, but I think he knew that his health would not permit it."

The White House confirmed that Biden and his wife, Jill, will attend Lautenberg's funeral in Manhattan on Wednesday.

Biden served together with Lautenberg in the Senate for years, representing Delaware before he became vice president in 2009.

“This is a guy who did a lot to change the country as well during his tenure,” Biden said, ticking off a list of the late senator's most high-profile wins. “Not every senator who serves can say that. Frank is the reason why smoking is banned on airplanes. Frank is the reason why we have a provision in the Violence Against Women act — which I drafted — saying that domestic abusers can’t posses guns.”

Biden also applauded his anti-drunk driving advocacy, environmental stewardship and co-authorship of the new GI bill “because he knew what it did for him.”

“He was one of the most productive senators I ever served with,” Biden said, adding: “I consider it a privilege not only to have known him, but to be one of his closest friends in the Senate. I’m going to miss him a lot.”